Harry’s hat-trick keeps Hendon in the hunt for fifth-place finish

Harry Charles scored a hat-trick as Hendon won their penultimate game of the season in Herts/Middlesex Division Two, beating Quintin 34-20 and boosting their hopes of overtaking Uxbridge to finish fifth.

There were just five minutes on the clock when John McCarthy broke free and released Charles, with Judah Simpson finishing in the corner – and in the 10th minute Jamie Connolly made the initial incision and fed Charles, who touched down, while Mike Evans-Jones converted to make it 12-0.

Quintin slotted over a penalty kick before their heavier pack pushed their way over for a converted score, closing the gap to 12-10.

But Hendon demonstrated their running ability again from the restart as Charles broke free and avoided three tackles to touch down, while Evans-Jones added the extras again to send the home side into the interval 19-10 ahead.

They extended their lead early in the second period as Connolly went over in the corner after a driving maul, securing a bonus point, and man of the match Charles then picked up a loose ball on the Quintin 22 and completed his treble.

Hendon relaxed and conceded a try, but Evans-Jones intercepted a pass in the Hendon half and ran all the way up the other end to extend the lead to 34-15.

Quintin had the final word with another late score, but Hendon moved to within one point of Uxbridge as they prepare to finish their season away at second-placed London Welsh on Saturday.

Elsewhere, in London Division Two North-West, Hampstead lost 27-16 at St Albans while UCS Old Boys suffered a 65-24 home defeat to Harpenden.